All-electric Rivian R1T Pickup Trucks Arrives In Kenya – The First Ones In Africa

Several all-electric Rivian R1T pickup trucks spotted on a car carrier in Kenya – the first ones in Africa.

Comes with 105 kWh, 135 kWh and 180 kWh battery packs with 230+, 300+ and 400+ miles respectively.

The empty batteries can add up to 200 miles of range in just 30 minutes with a DC fast charger.

R1T is capable of towing up to 11,000lbs and will drive through 3.3 feet of water, after which it start to float.

Inside includes 8 airbags, maps pre-programed into its navigation for off-roading, 10 USBs and multi-media touchscreens.

Last week, Kenya’s social media pages were buzzing following the sightings of four (4) Rivian R1T all-electric pickup trucks behind transport truck travelling along Mombasa Road.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that a former Rivian executive, Charly Mwangi, facilitated the process of sending the trucks to Kenya. Mwangi also responded to the initial video of the R1Ts on the transport truck with “Finally!!! This is super exciting.”

Local news reports that the electric trucks made their first stop at Roam, a company which specializes in electric motorcycles, buses, charging infrastructure, and energy systems.

Several LinkedIn users, who worked with Roam, have also shared photos of themselves with the R1Ts.

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Rivian R1T

The 4 recently delivered Rivian R1T Electric pickup trucks in Kenya are likely the first ones in the whole of Africa.

R1T is capable of towing up to 11,000lbs (4,990kg) and will drive through 3.3 feet of water (Hummer is capable of fording 2.5 ft) after which Rivian says the pickup starts to float.

Inside includes eight airbags, maps pre-programed into its navigation for off-roading, 10 USB charging ports, multi-media touchscreens, High-speed Ethernet for security and over-the-air software updates.

Cameras, lidar, radar, ultrasonic and GPS fitted pickup means that R1T is capable of Level 3 autonomous-driving i.e. it will be able to steer, accelerate and brake without the driver touching the steering or brake.

It comes with three battery options – the 105 kWh, 135 kWh and 180 kWh battery packs that will go 230+ miles, 300+ miles and 400+ miles respectively on a full charge.

The empty batteries can add up to 200 miles of range in just 30 minutes with a DC fast charger while Level 2 charger, found in public charge points, will charge it full in eight hours.

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